GOP-controlled Iowa House denying credentials to prominent liberal blogger who has covered statehouse for years

The GOP-controlled Iowa House of Representatives reportedly denied prominent liberal-leaning blogger Laura Belin her press credentials.

{mosads}The Associated Press reports that Belin, who runs the Bleeding Heartland blog, told the news outlet that the House chief of clerks denied her press credentials and did not cite any valid reason in doing so.

Belin has covered the state legislature since 2007 and told the AP she suspects the move is related to her at times critical coverage of the Republican leaders in the statehouse.

She said she appealed the decision and may pursue legal action.

“The fact that I don’t pretend to be objective, that I don’t hide my opinion about some of the political issues I cover, I don’t think that should have any bearing on whether I am considered a member of the media,” she said.

Belin noted that the Iowa Senate, which is also Republican-controlled, indicated that her credential request would be approved.

She heard from Iowa House chief clerk Carmine Boal in an email earlier this month that “press credentials are not issued to members of the public.”

This is the first legislative session that Belin has applied for press credentials, which she says would allow her work space and more convenient access to legislators.

Belin said Boal had not responded to her emails for several weeks asking the House to reconsider its denial.

“I would hope they would recognize they are not entitled to making a content-based speech restriction,” Belin said.

Boal did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.